At a city council work session June 11, officials discussed some of the finer points of the now all-day festival they hope will become a proud city tradition, including safety, fireworks, flags and banners and, of course, beer.

Fort Lupton events coordinator Mona Sandoval, a committee member for the city’s Quality of Life committee and the Alumni and Friends Association, said this is the first year the city has attempted an all-day Fourth of July celebration. And city officials hope it is successful as Fort Lupton’s other trademark event, Trapper Days, which Sandoval is also spearheading this year.

“In the (1980s) there was live music during the afternoon before the fireworks, but this will be the first all-day event,” Sandoval said. “This festival will provide our community with a day of entertainment, food (reasonably priced), activities for children, a talent show, live music, a Veterans Tribute and an amazing fireworks show.

“It is our goal to keep our community members close to home,” she added.

In order to do that, Sandoval said it is important to offer a variety of activities. The event will include, among other things, general festival activities such as games, raffles and live music, historic park tours, a car show, a talent show, horse-drawn wagon rides and even a flyover, courtesy of the Platte Valley/Fort Lupton Airport.

Along with food, including an 8 a.m. all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast sponsored by the Fort Lupton Independent Order of Odd Fellows, there will also be a beer and wine garden — open only to those of drinking age, of course.

At the work session June 11, Sandoval told city officials that banners were being delivered shortly, and said the reusable décor would line Route 52 into town and Denver Avenue. Additional flags will be placed on poles around the Fort Lupton Recreation Center — the epicenter of the day’s activities, where the Veterans Tribute and other events are slated to take place.

Mayor Pro Tem Chris Cross suggested they simply bump the event back a day in the case of inclement weather.

“If it is in fact a big wash on the Fourth, I think the logical thing to do would be to move it to Saturday,” Cross said. “But last year it was pretty good.”

Sandoval said, overall, the festival is right on budget and shaping up nicely, though she’s still hoping for more Talent Show and Veterans Tribute participants and more volunteers for the event overall.

Volunteers can contact Sandoval or go to the final “Firecracker Meeting,” an organizational meeting that will be held at 6:30 p.m. June 24 at the Rec Center.

Mayor Tommy Holton praised Sandoval’s effort.

“We couldn’t have put a better person in charge,” he said. “You’ve done a hell of a job.”